Door with integrated image frame

ABSTRACT

A door for displaying an object to be framed therein includes a door body having a top edge, a bottom edge, and first and second opposing side edges. A plurality of frames are defined within the door body. The frames include a glazing substantially covering the front of the frame and a backing substantially covering the back of the frame. The glazing and backing retain the object to be framed within the frame.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/557,564, filed Nov. 9, 2011 and entitled “Door With Integrated ImageFrame,” and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to doors, and more particularlyto doors having integrated picture frames therein.

2. Background

Doors are available in a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes. Somedoors, such as closet doors, vary widely in each of these aspects, andalso differ with respect to functionality. Doors are also manufacturedfrom a wide variety of materials, including wood, stamped steel,polymer, and mixtures of plastic and wood fiber.

Regardless of the shape or functionality of a given door, and despitethe fact that doors are common to the interior of households, doors arenot often decorated with photographs or other images. The materials fromwhich doors are constructed make it difficult or undesirable to hang aphotograph or other image from the door using a nail, screw, or otherfastener. The damage done to the door may not be as readily fixed orcovered as damage done by a nail or screw to a wall. Thus, apart frompaint, most doors in a household lack decorative elements.

Many individuals, particularly teens, use tape or other adhesives toaffix photographs, drawings, and other images to the surface of a door.This contributes to a generally messy appearance of the door and theassociated room. Further, tape and other adhesives may leave residue onthe door or damage the paint or other surface of the door. This isespecially problematic when individuals change photographs or images ona regular basis, removing one image to replace it with another and inthe process removing the tape or adhesive used to affix the first image,thereby potentially marring or damaging the surface of the door. Manyteens, for example, find it desirable to change such images frequently,representing changing tastes, trends, or interests of the teen.

What is needed, therefore, is a door having structures associatedtherewith to allow for the easy display of photographs or otherdecorative images on the door, and to allow the photographs or otherimages to be changed as often as desired without damaging the surface ofthe door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a door for displaying an object to beframed therein. The door includes a door body having a top edge, abottom edge, and first and second opposing side edges. A plurality offrames are defined within the door body. The frames include a glazingsubstantially covering the front of the frame and a backingsubstantially covering the back of the frame. The glazing and backingretain the object to be framed within the frame.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the door body has a frontsurface and a rear surface. An opening between the front surface of thedoor body and the glazing allows insertion of an object to be framedinto the frame.

Another aspect of the invention provides an opening between the backingand the rear surface of the door body for insertion of an object to beframed into the frame.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the backing is also aglazing.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the door includes afastener for attaching the door to a structure.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the door body includes amessage board attached to the front surface of the door body.

In another aspect of the invention, the message board is a whiteboad, acorkboard, a chalkboard, or a combination of these.

In another aspect of the invention, the door includes a second door bodyhaving a top edge, a bottom edge, and first and second opposing sideedges. A plurality of frames are defined within the second door body.The second door body is hingedly attached to the first door body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bifold door of the present invention havingstaggered image frames associated therewith.

FIG. 2 is a bifold door of the present invention having an orderlyseries of linear image frames associated therewith.

FIG. 3 is a standard door having a plurality of image frames accordingto the present invention associated therewith.

FIG. 4 is a standard door having a plurality of image frames accordingto the present invention associated therewith, the image frames providedin groups of two.

FIG. 5 is a standard door having a plurality of image frames of thepresent invention associated at or near a perimeter thereof and having amemo-board associated therewith.

FIG. 6 is a standard door having a plurality of image frames accordingto the present invention associated therewith, the Figures showing anexploded view of a frame assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 7 a is a side view of a portion of a door of the present invention,the view showing a frame opening, stepped glazing, and backing of aframe assembly.

FIG. 7 b is a side view of a portion of a door of the present invention,the view showing a frame opening, flat recessed glazing, and backing ofa frame assembly.

FIG. 7 c is a side view of a portion of a door of the present invention,the view showing a frame opening, flat recessed glazing, and thinbacking of a frame assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment ofa door 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention. Door 10 is a bifold door having a plurality of image frames12 associated therewith. Image frames 12 are presented in a staggeredformat. Image frames 12 preferably include a cover or “glazing”substantially flush with the front surface of door 10 that allows theimages in the image frames 12 to be viewed while at the same timeprotecting the images from damage. In some embodiments of the invention,a slot or other opening may be associated with the glazing along thefront side of the door, allowing images to be quickly removed andreplaced without opening the door itself. In other embodiments of theinvention, the images 12 may be open at a rear surface of the door,allowing easy placement of an image in the frame, or a slot or otheropening may be provided to allow access to the image frame 12 from therear side of the door. The rear of image frames 12 may be left open,with clips or other fasteners used to retain the images within the imageframes, or image frames 12 may be provided with a backing to create anenclosed space for the images. In some embodiments of the invention, thebacking may be removable to allow access to the images, while in otherembodiments the backing may be a part of the door itself and imageinsertion and removal achieved via a slot or other opening as discussedabove. Although the frames are described herein predominantly as imageframes, it is understood that the frames may hold any object desired tobe framed.

The glazing of each frame may be constructed of any suitable transparentmaterial, such as plexiglass, glass, synthetic polymers, and the like.In some instances, such as with photographs, for example, it isundesirable for the image in image frame 12 to be in contact with theglazing. In such cases, each image frame 12 may be provided with amatboard or spacer to prevent the surface of the photograph or imagefrom contacting and sticking to the glazing. The matboard or spacer maybe provided as part of image frame 12, or may be inserted optionally inthose of image frames 12 for which it is necessary or desirable due tothe properties of the image or photograph being displayed therein. It isunderstood that the term ‘glazing’ is employed herein to include anytransparent structure through which an object to be framed can beviewed.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a bifold door according to the presentinvention. The door of FIG. 2 is similar to that of FIG. 1, except thatimage frames 12 in the door of FIG. 2 are presented in a linear fashionrather than in a staggered distribution.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a standard door, such as a closet door, with aplurality of image frames 12 associated therewith. Image frames 12 arepresented in ordered rows, alternating between two and three imageframes per row.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a standard door, such as a closet door, withimage frames 12 grouped together in groups of two. The border 14 of eachgroup of two image frames 12 may itself be a decorative element to addfurther aesthetic qualities to the door.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a standard door, such as a closet door, with aplurality of image frames 12 at or near a perimeter of the door and amemo-board 16 located in the middle of the door. Memo-board 16 ispreferably substantially flush with the front surface of the door andmay be a corkboard, chalkboard, whiteboard, or other surface for writingon, or for attaching images or messages via tape, thumbtacks, and thelike.

FIG. 6 is one embodiment of a door of the present invention having aplurality of image frames 12 associated therewith in alternating rows oftwo and three image frames. The door in FIG. 6 may be any type of door,for example one of two sliding closet doors. It is contemplated that insuch an arrangement one or both closet doors may incorporate imageframes 12 of the present invention, and that each door may be identicalto the other, or different doors having different patterns of imageframe 12 may be employed.

FIG. 6 also shows a frame assembly 20 suitable for use with the presentinvention. Frame assembly 20 includes a stepped glazing 22, an image 24to be framed, and a backing 26. Frame assembly 20 is inserted intoopening 30 of the door. A fastener 28 secures frame assembly 20 withinopening 30. It is understood, however, that instead of a removable frameassembly 20, a fixed glazing and backing may be used, or a fixed backingwith removable glazing, or any other suitable way of producing a doorwith frames that are easily accessible for insertion of objects withinthe frame and removal of the objects therefrom.

FIG. 7 a is a side view of a portion of the door of FIG. 6, the sideview showing the placement of stepped glazing 22, image 24, and backing26. Fasteners 28 are shown holding the frame assembly 20 in place. A lipformed in the front surface of the door prevents frame assembly 20 frompassing through the door and out the front of opening 30.

FIG. 7 b is a side view of a portion of a door similar to that of FIG.6, however the glazing 22 a is flat rather than stepped and is recessedwithin opening 30, creating a small ledge or shelf effect within thedoor. The image 24 being framed and backing 26 are as described withrespect to FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 c is a side view of a portion of a door similar to that of FIG.6, however in addition to a flat glazing, backing 26 a is thin. Thisallows the overall assembly to be recessed further into opening 30,creating a larger shelf or ledge within the door.

The present invention may be implanted using any desired door size orshape. Interior doors in homes are often 1⅜ inches thick, and commonlyhave a height of 80 inches. Door width varies according to the type ofdoor (standard versus bifold and the like), with exemplary widths being15, 24, 28, 30, and 36 inches. The present invention is not limited toany given dimensions of door. Likewise, image frames 12 may be providedin any desired shape or size. Common image frame sizes (in inches) are3×5, 4×6, 5×7, 6×8, 8×10, and 11×14. Such frames are generallyrectangular in shape. Any desired size of frame may be used, however,and a single door may have a variety of image frame associated therewithrather than a plurality of image frames all having the same dimensions.Further, it is contemplated that image frames 12 may be of geometricshapes other than rectangular, including square, round, oval,triangular, octagonal, star-shaped, or any other desired geometric orartistic shape. Likewise, the glazing of each frame may be tinted withcolor to achieve a desired effect, with a single door having one or morecolors of glazing associated therewith.

Image frames 12 are preferably included in a door during manufacture ofthe door itself. Methods of cutting suitable openings in the door, aswell as inserting the glazing are known in the art and will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure. Forpurposes of the present invention, the precise method of manufacturing adoor with the associated image frames is not limited, as any suitablemethod may be used. Likewise, any suitable image frames may be utilizedin accordance with the present invention. It is further contemplatedthat various modifications to the present invention will be apparent tothose of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, and that suchmodifications are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A door for displaying an object to be framed therein, the doorcomprising: a door body having a top edge, a bottom edge, and first andsecond opposing side edges; and a plurality of frames defined within thedoor body, the frames comprising a glazing substantially covering afront of the frame and a backing substantially covering a back of theframe for retaining an object to be framed within the frame.
 2. The dooraccordingly to claim 1 wherein the door body comprises a front surfaceand a rear surface, the door further comprising an opening between theglazing and the front surface of the door body for insertion of anobject to be framed into one of said plurality of frames.
 3. The dooraccording to claim 1 wherein the door body comprises a front surface anda rear surface, the door further comprising an opening between thebacking and the rear surface of the door body for insertion of an objectto be framed into one of said plurality of frames.
 4. The door accordingto claim 1 wherein the glazing is a first glazing and the backing is asecond glazing.
 5. The door according to claim 1 further comprising afastener attached to the door body for attaching the door to astructure.
 6. The door according to claim 1 wherein the door bodycomprises a front surface and a rear surface, the door furthercomprising a message board attached to the front surface of the doorbody for allowing a user of the door to display messages and otherindicia thereon.
 7. The door according to claim 1 wherein the door bodycomprises a front surface and a rear surface, the door furthercomprising a message board attached to the rear surface of the door bodyfor allowing a user of the door to display messages and other indiciathereon.
 8. The door according to claim 6 wherein the message board isselected from the group consisting of a whiteboard, a corkboard, achalkboard, and combinations thereof.
 9. The door according to claim 1wherein the door body is a first door body, the door further comprising:a second door body having a top edge, a bottom edge, and first andsecond opposing side edges, the second door body hingedly attached tothe first door body; and a plurality of frames defined within the seconddoor body, the frames comprising a glazing substantially covering afront of the frame and a backing substantially covering a back of theframe for retaining an object to be framed within the frame.
 10. Thedoor according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of framescomprises a frame assembly, each frame assembly being set within anopening defined in said door, the frame assembly comprising: a glazingdisposed toward a front surface of the door; and a backing disposedtoward a rear surface of the door.
 11. The door according to claim 11further comprising a fastener for retaining the frame assembly in theopening defined in the door.
 12. The door according to claim 10 whereinthe glazing is stepped.
 13. The door according to claim 10 wherein theglazing is flat.